Orientation Fun

I have been in Chicago for just about a week with the other volunteers and it has been an interesting week. It was great to see the volunteers I met back in April and so comforting to know we all have the same roller coaster of emotions going on. It's so hard to explain, but we all know we are going through the same thing. The week has been packed with speakers and small group time everyday. It's actually been a really exhausting week, because there has been so much information to take in and it is a bit overwhelming. It has all been insightful and thought provoking, but at the same time it is difficult to think about all the things we are expecting to or may experience during the year. I think it's gotten to a point where we are all just ready to get to our country, which is good since we leave Monday!

Some highlights from the week:
-Learning about what mission really is. The word mission has been so tainted in the past, but we can redefine mission as God's activity in the world through a model called accompaniment. Accompaniment means walking alongside people and being present with them. There may not always be a specific task to do, but we can always offer the ministry of presence and this is often what people need. Holistic mission includes both proclamation and service.
-Singing "The greatest thing in all my life is serving you..."
-Roommate talks
-Learning about globalization and it's effects- "You've not heard the word of God until you take action"
-Spending time with the other volunteers
-Walks around the city, going to Lake Michigan, and laying in the grass during breaks
-Talking about how to deal with the lifestyle changes that will occur
-Learning about safety- stranger danger! watching out for people who may want to do obnoxious things...This was an entertaining discussion...

So, although there's been a lot of sitting, discussing, and just taking in information, it has been a good week of preparation and I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be for what's ahead. Tomorrow morning I am going with the other Slovakia volunteers and 2 alums who were in Slovakia to a Slovak church service in the area. Then Monday morning we are off! Next time I update will be from Bratislava... :-)

Getting closer...

In less than a month I will be in Slovakia!!!! Today was my last day of work and I am finding it hard to believe how fast the summer has been going by, and how close it is getting to my departure! Many emotions are starting to set in. I am so excited and can't wait to go, but at the same time I know how hard the good-byes are going to be. Sometimes I think a year is not long at all and it's going to fly by, but then other times I think wow... a year not seeing my family and friends...it's going to be a challenge. I think it will be both- super exciting and challenging at the same time. Even though the adventure hasn't begun yet, I already feel like I have been blessed and learned about trust. I was worried about raising the money I needed in the short amount of time I had ($3,500), but I have been so overwhelmed by the support and generosity of everyone! I ended up exceeding this amount by a lot. I can't believe how many people- some who know me well and others who don't know me at all- have been so supportive. God has already shown me that He is taking care of me and will take care of me this year no matter what challenges I may face.

Now I am headed up to Philly for Hannah's wedding, then to Nashville for a few days. It should be tons of fun, and then the 19th I fly to Chicago. Orientation with all the volunteers (40 from the ELCA and 30some from the PCA) will be in Chicago for a week and then the 27th I fly to Bratislava with the four other Slovakia volunteers. We will spend a few weeks in Bratislava and then travel to our placements!!!

I will leave you with a selection about steadfast trust written by Catherine of Genoa...
"May this be our prayer: 'I do not want to turn my eyes from you, O God. There I want them to stay and not move no matter what happens to me, within or without.' For those who trust in God need not worry about themselves. God's pure love is attentive to all your needs."
This is my prayer for the year.